Starting a forum: Two important questions...

Dayne Dylan · 10-12-2008, 09:07 PM

Two big questions regarding starting a forum I have...

1. How do you get people to populate it when there are NO posts to begin with or no users? I'm looking at using PPC for targeted keywords, but I was wondering if people will even start to use it if no one is there yet. Ideas on how to make this work and get them to join?

2. As far as reading posts...should I set it so people have to join to read posts or do you leave it open for anyone to read. I can see advantages to both.

Would love some expert advice in regards to these two questions.

Thank you!

ShayRockhold · 10-12-2008, 09:15 PM

To begin with, you are going to be posting on there a lot.

Post open-ended questions or ask for feedback on certain topics.

If it is business-related, ask for comments and offer to let people post links in their comments, at least at first.

What is the message board topic? Just in general. I can give better advice if I could know.

Paul M · 10-12-2008, 09:21 PM

Am not an expert, but I see alot of new forums that pay people
a small amount to post.

So you could use your PPC budget on paying for posts and then
use free techniques to drive the traffic.

I also think it would be best to open up the forum to all readers,
as this could in itself intise people to join and comment on posts IMO.

Regards,
paul

Cameron May · 10-12-2008, 09:30 PM

Have one or two categories where you have a lot of content or free downloads only accessible to those who register.

You'll need to have the forum very pre-populated first. Having a following such as a list or a popular blog would really help you out.

If you don't hit it hard it won't be self-sustaining and you'll run yourself into the ground.

Kevin Lam · 10-12-2008, 09:33 PM

Hi Dayne,

I've started 3 forums from rock-bottom and it's not easy. First off, I suggest getting a steady flow of followers/subscribers - people who you interact with on a daily basis. You get to the point where there's enough people who want to talk to you openly in a forum.

Don't make the forum public at this point, keep it a secret. Once you get enough people, tell them about the forum and how you'd like to bring the conversations there.

As for populating it more with users and posts, use bribes such as drawings and contests. Give money/prizes to people who post the most in a certain amount of time or even something for posting anything at all. Have minimum criteria such as no ads and the post/thread must be longer than 10-15 words.

Share good content of your own. Intrigue the viewers and get them want to answer your questions or comment on your posts.

Now, this might be a black-hat type of strategy to show that there's people in the forum and that there's something to offer:

1) Start out by making your forum completely private. People have to register to even look inside. Have a message that explains the type of information they can find inside.

2) Register 3-5 different accounts. For each user, log in with a different browser (IE, FF, flock, netscape, etc.). Each browser will count as a different session so you'll be able to log in as different users.

Note: now, I'm not saying to post FAKE comments, I'm merely wanting you to give the indication as if there are members/visitors in your forum!

3) Leave the browsers open day and night. This will show any new visitors that you constantly have someone in the forum. No one likes being the ONLY person in the forum. If they are, they run.

4) Ask your marketing friends to help out. Do a JV with other forums who you see are quite new and need new members. Tell them you'll post in their forum if they'll post in yours to help build it up a bit. I've done this many times and it definitely helps in your initial stage.

That's my tips for now. I hope it helps and good luck. I really don't recommend starting a forum unless you have at least 100 customers/clients/subscribers, but I've done it with less.

10-12-2008, 09:07 PM	#1
Dayne Dylan Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,573 Thanks: 132 Thanked 82 Times in 53 Posts	Starting a forum: Two important questions... Two big questions regarding starting a forum I have... 1. How do you get people to populate it when there are NO posts to begin with or no users? I'm looking at using PPC for targeted keywords, but I was wondering if people will even start to use it if no one is there yet. Ideas on how to make this work and get them to join? 2. As far as reading posts...should I set it so people have to join to read posts or do you leave it open for anyone to read. I can see advantages to both. Would love some expert advice in regards to these two questions. Thank you!

10-12-2008, 09:15 PM	#2
ShayRockhold StarFleet Admiral War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Delta Quadrant Posts: 1,844 Blog Entries: 10 Thanks: 1,363 Thanked 624 Times in 286 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Starting a forum: Two important questions... To begin with, you are going to be posting on there a lot. Post open-ended questions or ask for feedback on certain topics. If it is business-related, ask for comments and offer to let people post links in their comments, at least at first. What is the message board topic? Just in general. I can give better advice if I could know.
	"Fate protects fools, little children and ships named Enterprise" -- Cmdr. Riker [TNG - "Contagion"] ============================= I'm on TalkMarketingNow.com! 11 PM Eastern Time, Tuesdays. Join me! :D ============================= Shay Rockhold's Site and Blog

10-12-2008, 09:21 PM	#3
Paul M Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United Kingdom. Posts: 963 Thanks: 870 Thanked 111 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Starting a forum: Two important questions... Am not an expert, but I see alot of new forums that pay people a small amount to post. So you could use your PPC budget on paying for posts and then use free techniques to drive the traffic. I also think it would be best to open up the forum to all readers, as this could in itself intise people to join and comment on posts IMO. Regards, paul

10-12-2008, 09:30 PM	#4
Cameron May HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington D.C Posts: 197 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Contact Info	Re: Starting a forum: Two important questions... Have one or two categories where you have a lot of content or free downloads only accessible to those who register. You'll need to have the forum very pre-populated first. Having a following such as a list or a popular blog would really help you out. If you don't hit it hard it won't be self-sustaining and you'll run yourself into the ground.

10-12-2008, 09:33 PM	#5
Kevin Lam Dare To Dream War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 179 Thanked 229 Times in 154 Posts	Re: Starting a forum: Two important questions... Hi Dayne, I've started 3 forums from rock-bottom and it's not easy. First off, I suggest getting a steady flow of followers/subscribers - people who you interact with on a daily basis. You get to the point where there's enough people who want to talk to you openly in a forum. Don't make the forum public at this point, keep it a secret. Once you get enough people, tell them about the forum and how you'd like to bring the conversations there. As for populating it more with users and posts, use bribes such as drawings and contests. Give money/prizes to people who post the most in a certain amount of time or even something for posting anything at all. Have minimum criteria such as no ads and the post/thread must be longer than 10-15 words. Share good content of your own. Intrigue the viewers and get them want to answer your questions or comment on your posts. Now, this might be a black-hat type of strategy to show that there's people in the forum and that there's something to offer: 1) Start out by making your forum completely private. People have to register to even look inside. Have a message that explains the type of information they can find inside. 2) Register 3-5 different accounts. For each user, log in with a different browser (IE, FF, flock, netscape, etc.). Each browser will count as a different session so you'll be able to log in as different users. Note: now, I'm not saying to post FAKE comments, I'm merely wanting you to give the indication as if there are members/visitors in your forum! 3) Leave the browsers open day and night. This will show any new visitors that you constantly have someone in the forum. No one likes being the ONLY person in the forum. If they are, they run. 4) Ask your marketing friends to help out. Do a JV with other forums who you see are quite new and need new members. Tell them you'll post in their forum if they'll post in yours to help build it up a bit. I've done this many times and it definitely helps in your initial stage. That's my tips for now. I hope it helps and good luck. I really don't recommend starting a forum unless you have at least 100 customers/clients/subscribers, but I've done it with less.